By Felecia Jordan
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November 11, 2024
Annual reviews are not always the highlight of everyone’s day but it is one of the most influential ways to highlight your contributions and discuss your career growth. Here’s how you can navigate these conversations effectively. Understanding What Matters to Your Company Companies typically focus on three high-level areas: Financial Impact : Highlight how your actions aligned with the company's goals and have directly contributed to increasing revenue or reducing costs. This could include successful projects, efficiency improvements, or strategic decisions that positively affected the company’s bottom line. Innovation and Future Growth : Discuss your role in driving innovation and improvements. This could involve introducing new technologies, improving processes and workflows, leading transformative projects, or developing strategies. Collaboration, Communication, and Adaptability : Not all roles or projects will always show quantifiable results, but these skills significantly influence the company and team’s success. Discuss the teams you work with (clients, departments, vendors) and any increase in these interactions. Highlight how you adapted to changes like team expansions/reductions, new clients/customers, more direct reports, or shifts in work processes. Also, mention the increase in decision-making responsibilities, providing examples of delegating or making decisions to benefit projects, your team, or the company. Structure Your Conversation When it comes to discussing your performance and career progression, it’s important to be clear and structured. Start by highlighting how your role has grown: Last Year : Describe your role and responsibilities. This Year : Explain how your role has evolved and the new responsibilities you’ve taken on. Accomplishments : Share specific achievements and their impact on the company. Outcomes of Performance Reviews Compensation If your role has evolved substantially, express your interest in discussing an appropriate role change & salary. Understand that the first conversation might not be the last—it may take a few months, depending on the company’s size and hierarchy. Typically, if your role has expanded beyond the original job description, a role change and corresponding salary adjustment should be discussed. Keep in mind that each company has different policies regarding role changes. Development Opportunities Performance reviews are an excellent time to discuss career development opportunities you are interested in. This could include certifications, trainings, continuing education, or seminars that your company might cover or reimburse. Handling Objections If you’re told you’re not ready for a raise, respond with specified questions and take initiative. Ask for specific examples of what you need to improve, proactively create a development plan with your leader, and set a timeline to revisit the conversation. Knowing When to Look Externally If your role has expanded and you have been consistently successful, yet there is still no recognition, pay increase, or role change after multiple attempts at conversation, it may be time to consider opportunities outside your current company. These conversations are a great opportunity to discuss the career opportunities and experiences you seek, and how your leader can support you in achieving them. This is your time to advocate for yourself—be open to feedback, but also be prepared and proactive. Until Next Time, Felecia Jordan Founder of The Little Big Things